On Tuesday, May 16 police were dispatched to the Stop & Shop on Heights Road on a report of a larceny. When they arrived, they met with the supervisor, who pointed out a suspect standing in line at the customer service desk.
Police said that the suspect, identified as 42-year-old James Coates of Stamford, had been stuffing packaged meat into his vest and pants. Officers could see that there was something in his vest, as it was bulging in numerous places, according to police.
Coates was asked to step out of the line and into one of the aisles. When asked if he had anything on him that belonged to the store, he said that he did, and began removing meat from inside his vest and pants, according to police. In all, he had 10 packages determined to be worth $155.27, police said. He told police that he was just trying to feed himself.
Coates was charged with sixth-degree larceny and released on a promise to appear in court on May 26.
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